Valentine’s Day Guide

Published: 02/12/2009

It’s snuck up on you once again: Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, and you haven’t made any romantic plans to celebrate. Never fear: Here’s a surefire guide to the weekend’s Cupid-related activities, all of which are guaranteed to make your honey swoon.

Shopping

Flowers and boxed chocolates won’t cut it this year? Take a look at our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. From jewelry to golf balls, Shakespeare to the Smart Car, here are 13 ways to melt your mate’s heart.

Dining

A number of local restaurants — including West Point’s Thayer Hotel and the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park — host special events for Valentine’s Day.

At Swoon Kitchenbar in Hudson, the four or six-course prix-fixe menu features a variety of dishes, from Rhode Island oysters and red wine duck tart to leg of lamb, spiced quail, and chocolate hazelnut panna cotta.

At Gomen-Kudasai, a Japanese hot spot in New Paltz, the all-day $20 prix-fixe menu offers a four-course noodle or tempura special, along with lunchtime music (215 Main St., New Paltz. 845-255-8811).

Also in New Paltz, the Village Tea Room (10 Plattekill Ave., 845-255-3434) has a three-course dinner menu with wine for $60. Their bake shop offers sweet treats to take home, including linzer heart cookies and candied kumquat crostata.

Terrapin in Rhinebeck has both early-bird and evening seating, with separate prix-fixe menus; the featured fare includes Japanese risotto, braised short ribs, and roasted red snapper.

Take your sweetie to Mahoney’s Irish Pub in Poughkeepsie to dine and dance the night away with a live DJ. The three-course dinner special includes a complementary glass of wine or Champagne, and a rose for the lady.

At the Bird & Bottle Inn in Garrison, the Valentine’s Day menu runs all weekend long. Enjoy chateaubriand (for two), Maine lobster tail, or rack of lamb — along with a complimentary glass of bubbly — for $50 per person.

Dessert

Staying home for the evening? You can still celebrate with some sweet treats — and wine, of course.
The Pastry Garden in Poughkeepsie has a complete line of items, from chocolate dipped strawberries to princess cake (white cake, raspberry preserves, vanilla custard, marzipan and butter cream) to tempt your lover’s palate. Attend the special Valentine’s Day wine-tastings at Artisan Wine Shop in Beacon (Friday from 4-7 p.m., Saturday 3-7 p.m.) and choose your favorite from a variety of featured vintages (all on sale for the occasion).